December 12, 2002
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports the overall directions
of the report released by the House of Commons Committee on the Non-Medical Use of
Drugs. CAMH is particularly pleased that the Committee has recognized that addictions
and substance use are critical health issues requiring a health care response.
Now that Committees of both the House of Commons and the Senate have reported
on substance use issues, CAMH urges the federal government to take action on areas
where there is agreement and to work with other levels of government and the addictions
sector to ensure a new and integrated Canadian Drug Strategy is implemented. This
is critical given the tremendous economic and social cost of addictions in our society.
CAMH is pleased the Committee recommended a new, integrated, and coordinated Canadian
Drug Strategy that defines the roles and responsibilities of various levels of government
and various ministries. CAMH agrees strongly that Health Canada must have a leadership
role in developing and coordinating a national drug strategy within a health care
context based upon the four "pillars" -- treatment, harm reduction, prevention
and enforcement.
CAMH is pleased that the Committee has recognized that more funding for treatment
and for a broader continuum of treatment options is needed. CAMH agrees that a greater
focus on prevention, public health initiatives, more timely treatment, and services
that are sensitive to socio-economic, gender and cultural diversity are essential
to be able to address addiction issues in Canada.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health agrees with the Committee that more
research in the area of addiction and substance abuse is needed to ensure that policies
are based on scientific evidence and experience.
The Centre was also pleased that the Committee recommended permanent funding and
expansion of Drug Courts based on positive evaluation outcomes.
CAMH Response to Recommendation to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession and Cultivation
of 30 grams or less
Although the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health discourages cannabis use,
we support the call to lessen criminal sanctions for cannabis possession for personal
use. We have taken this position based on the best available research and knowledge
gained from experience in other jurisdictions. This research has led us to conclude
that the current criminal sanctions for marijuana possession are an inappropriate
control mechanism.
CAMH recommends implementing a more appropriate legal control framework for cannabis
use that is more effective and efficient, produces fewer negative social and individual
consequences and maintains public health and safety.
CAMH recommends that any alternative legal framework that may be developed be
accompanied by careful monitoring to evaluate its impact and inform future policy
discussions. An appropriate level of funding should also be provided and maintained
for prevention and treatment programs to minimize the prevalence of cannabis use
and its associated harms.
Website Links to related CAMH positions/papers:
CAMH and Harm Reduction: A Background
Paper on its Meaning and Applications For Substance Use Issues
Position on the Legal Sanctions Related to Cannabis
Possession/Use
Presentation to the Senate
Committee
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